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Sunday, May 28, 2017

When I was a pretty, young, pre-fashionista, I heard about Spanx. Admittedly, I found the whole idea ridiculous--I was skinny and even if I hadn't been, I assumed Spanx would be very tight and almost hurt. I dismissed the whole body shapewear thing from my life pretty quickly!

But of course now, things are much different.

I'm in my [very, very] early 30s and it's definitely more difficult for me to stay in shape. I was just randomly walking around Target and saw the Spanx display and knew that it was time to give them a go.

I got the Slim Cognito High-Waisted Mid-Thigh Short Spanx in black, mainly because they were on sale, and they looked like they would be perfect to wear under my plethora of dresses.I took my brand new Spanx and wore them under a dress that probably would have been unflattering had I not made the leap to Spanx. The shorts are simply amazing!

I first wore them on Mother's Day (I brought a backup outfit just in case!), because I knew I'd be out of my house for a while and I wanted to see how long I could last in the Spanx. Well, it turned out that they were somehow, magically comfortable. I was beyond surprised. In addition to the comfort, they worked fabulously. My bod looked great; everything was tucked in and out of the way.

So, I've officially converted to being a Spanx person! I can easily see myself buying almost all of their items!

The only problem I have with the company is their Spanx for Men collection. I understand that guys can have the same body issues as women, but I'm telling you--if my husband started rockin' them, I'm pretty sure I would leave and never come back!

Check out the entire Spanx site to see all of the different options they have. They are a bit pricey, but they're very well made. You definitely get what you paid for.

Saturday, January 28, 2017

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's time to get your lips in shape for some serious smooching. And honestly, even if you're spending the day without a significant other, you can still enjoy having fresh, clean, and pretty pucker. And who wouldn't want that?!

The first product I'm recommending is patchology's Lip Renewal FlashPatch Lip Gels. The set is $15 and includes five lip patches. They're just like a face mask that's only intended to be used on lips.

I've shared on my blog before how dry and awful my skin is;--and that includes my lips. It is so hard for me to find products that don't hurt my overly sensitive, dry lips and skin. But these lip gels are amazing. Not only did I not experience any irritation, but once it was done, my lips felt incredible. And I don't think I've ever described my lips as being "incredible" before! 'm just loving it!

Once your lips are moisturized and gorgeous to the max, I highly recommend following up with Clinique's Chubby Stick Moisturing Lip Color Balm. Each hue is $17, and they really give your lips vibrant, nourishing color and are loaded with mango and shea butters so your lips feel comfortably soft and smooth. So you get the color and the moisture!

Currently, Clinique has a super cute Crayola Chubby Lip Crayon Box (Limited Edition) for $49.50. With this set, you get eight different colored Chubby Sticks in a kit that does look like a fun box of crayons. I mean, I'd rather have the cute, and gorgeous-looking Chubby Sticks than crayons. They're basically like crayons for makeup-loving gals like myself.

AND there's one more fun piece of info: Clinique currently has a gift with purchase available to anyone who spends $27 or more on Clinique products at Nordstrom. So it's definitely worth it to spend a little extra on the products, because below is what you get for free after spending $27:

The GWP containts some great products that I'm already in love with, and some new ones--it's a good mix. You also don't need a code for it; the GWP will automatically show up in your shopping bag once you've spent enough to qualify for it. Here's what comes with the gift:

Deluxe samples of Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream (1 oz.)

Smart Custom-Repair Serum (0.34 oz.)

Chubby in the Nude Foundation Stick in Voluptous Vanilla (0.12 oz.)

Blended Face Powder in Invisible Blend (0.16 oz.)

Pop Lip Colour in Sweet Pop

High Impact Mascara in Black (0.14 oz.)

a dot-print cosmetics bag

Not bad, right?! Take advantage of this deal while you can, and get your pretty pout ready for some h-core kissing.

Actually. now that I think of it, grab some Tic Tacs or something too. That's never a bad idea.

And there you are--all the important ingredients for the perfect Valentine's Day pucker.

Friday, October 14, 2016

There are two things I'm currently obsessed with: Kate Spade (for obvious reasons), and flasks (again, for obvious reasons...ish).

Before I even understood fashion, I loved Kate Spade. I just knew the brand was classy, and that as an adult, I hoped to always own a few of their bags and baubles--finances be damned! And as I dreamed, I almost always have a few Kate Spade handbags, as well as some of their gorgeous jewelry...just don't tell my husband.

As far as flasks go, I used my first one in college. I thought it would be hilarious to fill it with water, pretend it was vodka, and take it to class with me. I also thought that doing the same exact thing at my Grandma's house for Thanksgiving would be a hoot. Unfortunately, I don't remember anyone finding it as funny as me, but whatever--I was going to continue to drink non-alcoholic beverages from a flask--and as long as it had me awkwardly giggling to myself, I would continue to do so! Clearly it wasn't a phase or anything, as I am currently thirty and I still drink water from flasks for entertainment.

I only recently found out that Kate Spade has the fanciest flasks I've ever seen in my life. Two of my fave things combined?! I've got to get one (or both)! And hey, I might just throw some actual liquor in them to celebrate! THIS IS HUGE!

Pictured above on the left is the super luxe Two of a Kind 'Just Between Us' Gold Faceted Flask. I love the classic look, the gold detail, and the general shape of the flask. Oh yeah, and the fact that printed in tiny block letters is the phrase, 'Just Between Us'. I like that. And it's true. Because, in all actuality, what you fill it with is just between you and the flask! No need to involve others.

The second one pictured is a pretty, dainty flask called the Silver Street 'Happy Hour' Flask.This one isn't hiding anything. It practically screams, "It's happy hour, and Imma get my drink on, but I'm doing it with this classy flask, so everything's cool". That might seem like a lot for a flask to say, but having the words 'Happy Hour' printed neatly on the front really doesn't leave much to the imagination. It's not a bad thing; in fact, I love that the sleek bottle tells it like it is. The cheeky, girlish flask, "engraved with encouragement for happy hour", really is perfect to throw in a clutch for a night out. Love it!

Both flasks are beyond fabulous. Personally, I want one of each so I have a flask to match my mood. That said, they'd also make great gifts, so keep them in mind for the holidays. At $40 each, the flasks are without a doubt, a couple of the chicest and least expensive gifts that Kate Spade has to offer. And I don't hate it!

Thursday, September 8, 2016

I highly doubt that anyone loves nail polish more than I do...I could be wrong, but I'm looking at my tub o' polish right now and I'm guessing I own over 200 different polishes (even though most of them are just different shades of pink). That said, nail polish, is used by 71% of females--even more than lipstick. (Gasp)! For gals in their teens and twenties, the number is closer to 84%. That's a lot of nail polish. And if you're like me, you've probably spilled quite a few bottles of the stuff and have a stain on your floor, or at the very least knocked over a bottle or two.

Enter Tweexy. It's a silicone nail polish holder you wear on your hand like a ring so you can keep your polish bottle front and center without knocking it over while switching hands.

The creators of Tweexy purchased thousands of polishes, different brands with different sizes and shaped bottles, and tested prototypes to figure out exactly what holder design would fit them all. And they cracked the code! No matter what brand is your fave, it will fit! Huzzah!

Here's what the "ring" looks like sans polish:

You can even wear two Tweexys comfortably for nail art, different polish colors or base and topcoats. The two expandable rings are thick enough to naturally keep fingers separated during polishing, allowing your hand to relax. The two rubber wings act as levers and pull open the finger rings to accommodate different finger sizes. When you have completed polishing one hand you can effortlessly pull the Tweexy off (vertically) and transfer it to your opposite hand, all without smearing your freshly, fabulously applied polish.

Another huge bonus? You can use Tweexy to get every last drop out of your fave polish by simply tilting your hand. I know I've thrown out several bottles of expensive polish that were still half-full, simply because the brush wouldn't reach it. And I know I'm not alone.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Ever since I was just a wee little sassy girl, I've always loved titles, like Mrs. and Miss. Chances are, it was the countless years I spent reading a fairly crazy amount of Little Miss books, (Little Miss Bossy and Little Miss Chatterbox were my faves, for obvious reasons).

I am Mrs. Fancypants: I'm a Mrs., I'm fancy, and I wear pants (which often times are somewhat fancy). I didn't like the definition of "fancypants" that the un-fancy Merriam-Webster dictionary had to offer: "overly elegant or refined : la-di-da". Luckily Urban Dictionary had the definition I knew in my heart to be true: "Sophisticated or impressive. See posh." That's moi!

The site's product description rocks: "As the lady of the house, this mug leaves absolutely no question as to how fabulous you are!"

The writing is in pink.

It's too bad that there isn't a male version of this super cute mug. Just kidding, there is!
Meet the Mr. Handsome Mug! It's the perfect mug for your man, but it doesn't outshine the chic, girly version. Love it!

Each of the mugs cost $23. Yes, it is a little pricey, but you can tell that they're very well-made and are beautifully designed. I definitely think they're worth it, simply because these mugs are so darn cute!

If you're like me and want to buy the two mugs together, you can get them both in the Mr. and Mrs. Coffee Mug Set for $42. Honestly, I think the set would make a great gift for any couple (including myself and my husband--hint, hint!). For those girls who either aren't married, don't fret! There's also a mug for you! The Miss Fancypants Mug is what the young people would call totes adorbs. In all seriousness, I might buy one even though I'm married!

Whether you buy one mug or oodles of 'em, they'll each arrive in an adorable hot pink gift box with gold lettering...très chic, no?

If you're a weirdo who's totally against mugs (who the hell do you think you are?!), or you just want to look at some more cute products, peruse the Ashley Brook Design online store. I promise you'll love everything.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

I recently started selling Chloe + Isabel baubles...and quite frankly I'm in love with almost everything I've seen from them! Everything is so well-made, hypoallergenic, and looks incredibly gorgeous. I'm also a fan of the fact that they cater to a lot of different styles. If you like huge statement pieces, they have the prettiest pieces, hands down. But if you like more dainty jewelry, they have that too. And everything in-between.

Every girl out there should really check out the line. Trust me, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Below are eight of my absolute fave pieces from the company (you can purchase them, and other items, at my online boutique):

Aventine Collar Necklace ($78) - If you're looking for a statement necklace that doesn't completely take over your look, this collar necklace is for you! It looks so chic and is the perfect piece to wear if you want to elevate your ensemble. Also, since black and white has become a trend again (I'm guessing for the 5th time this year), this pop-of-white necklace would really stand out with a black blouse.

Bead + Ribbon Multi-Wrap Bracelet($48) - I'm really into navy blue lately, so it's no wonder why this gorgeous wrap bracelet is something I'm obsessed with. I've had mine for a couple weeks, and I think I've worn it every single day. It just matches everything, since it's main colors are neutral shades. The bracelet is also adjustable (woohoo for all small-wristed gals like me!). Oh, and you can even wear it as a necklace if you want--it looks fab either way.

Trevi Convertible Statement Earrings ($52) - How stunning are these earrings?! I'm drooling over them. One thing I absolutely love about Chloe + Isabel is that they have a lot of items that can be worn in different ways. These insanely beautiful earrings can be worn two ways: just the top of the earring as a stud, or with the bottom attached to make a great statement earring. Both ways are gorgeous, of course. It's the ultimate work-to-weekend style companion!

Portico Linear Drop Earrings ($38) - Listen to me. You need these earrings. Now. They are just so luxe and beautiful, yet they also look classic and almost simple (in a good way). These earrings are perfect to wear with virtually anything. They look amazing with a fancy little black dress, and also look great paired with jeans and a t-shirt. Win-win!

Leather + Baguette Bracelet ($26) - My mom and I each own one of these metallic must-have leather bracelets, and we absolutely love them! I'm a huge lover of bracelets, and this one is probably my current fave. You can wear it alone, or layer it with other bracelets--either way, this pretty little bracelet definitely brings some sparkle and shine to any look.

Take Heart Pendant Necklace($28) - This pendant necklace is yet another Chloe + Isabel piece that I own and am obsessed with. It's easy to see why--it's a very pretty, delicate necklace that I think almost anyone would love. It goes with anything and while it is small, the clear crystal on the pendant is just enough bling to attract some attention.

Baguette + Stone Stackable Duo Rings ($48) - I saved the best for last! I'm absolutely loving this ring set. Both of the rings are so elegant and beautiful. Personally, I like to wear them both together, but they also look gorgeous when worn individually. The rings comes in size 6, 7, 8, and 9.

How gorgeous is everything?! I just love it all. And my online boutique has loads more for you to look at. Happy shopping!

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

I've been seeing grey lips on runways for years, but somehow this ridiculous look has trickled its way down into being an actual regular-people trend. For people like you and me.

I'll give you a sec to let that sit in.

For some ungodly reason, I seem to be the only beauty writer in the world who hates grey lipstick. I don't understand why. I just don't get how anyone can be sucked into this blackhole (or greyhole, I should say) of horror. I mean I just can't imagine being out looking at lipstick, picking up a dull charcoal color, and thinking to myself how amazing it would look. I cringe when I see it in pictures. Never mind real life. And it's not like I'm afraid to take risks with lip color--I go bright, nude, and even neon on occasion. Neon, for God's sake!

That said, my sister was admittedly more of the "goth kid" when we were growing up and definitely sported lips that were grey-ish, so maybe I lack some sort of gene that is necessary for obsessing over dusty-colored lip products.

To me, this whole grey thing is just crazy. The color doesn't do anyone any favors. It's not like it enhances anything. And even though there are a bunch of different grey shades out there right now, trust me--there isn't a grey that "flatters" anyone. They all look weird, and usually dirty.

The truth? The only thing you can really do with grey lipstick is make your face look like it's a black and white photo. Pair the lips with a grey smoky eye and you're good to go! That might be a cool Halloween costume, actually...but that's it.

So before you think that you're "trendy enough" to pull this off, stop and think for a minute about how stupid it is.

Or blow your cash on MAC's stupid, grey lipstick in Halsey ($17). But you've been warned.

If you want to try something pretty and different for spring, I say go for a bright fuchsia hue. Grab one of MAC's pretty other hues, Girl About Town ($17). It's bold, bright, and super gorgeous. And it certainly doesn't look like smashed up cement.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

As you can all probably guess, I'll use any excuse to paint my nails. I had a good day? Time to celebrate and polish my nails! Bad day? You guessed it--time to cheer myself up with a new mani!

So when there's actually somewhat of a reason for me to express myself artistically through my nails, I'm obviously on board. To the extreme.

And with St. Patrick's Day rapidly approaching, it's high time to think about making your nails look fabulous for the occasion.

Even though I'm fairly adventurous with my polish colors, green isn't a color that I naturally gravitate towards. But after trying out some of the gorgey greens that SinfulColors has in their Shamrock Out collection, I'm thinking that green might end up on my fingers quite a bit in the future!

There are six total colors in the collection, below are my fave four shades:

Exotic Green is a bright pop of green cream. It's lightweight and is opaque after two coats. This is the perfect base for anything Saint Patrick's Day, and looks great on it's own.

Feeling Lucky is the line's limited edition polish for the holiday. It has adorable little shamrock-shaped glitter chunks in a sheer, green base with yellow, green, and gold metallic hex glitters. Glitter is a weakness of mine (duh!), so I'm pretty much obsessed with this polish. The base color is really quite sheer, so you could easily wear this over other colors, or even on its own for a little natural bling.

Happy Ending is a kelly green that has a fantastic iridescent sheen to it. It also wins "best nail polish name ever", as far as I'm concerned. This is a hue that I'll actually wear year-round. It has a fresh feel to it and, even though it seems impossible, the color manages to match oodles of different outfits (win!), and looks great on most skintones. This color is definitely one of my favorites.

San Francisco is a pearly, darker metallic evergreen shade. It's almost emerald looking and is pretty elegant. If you're into darker hues, definitely go for this one. I'd also choose this color to wear Feeling Lucky over. The bold glitter would really stand out on a dark color like this.

You can get the SinfulColors ShamRock Out collection at various retailers including Target, Walgreens, Walmart, Rite Aid, or on their website for a mere $1.99 per bottle. Honestly, the quality is so great that I thought I was using the wrong polish while I was trying them out, but they're really just that good!

Happy painting, ladies!Disclosure: This post contains a product sent for review consideration. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

I honestly never thought I'd be writing about something as ridiculous as unicorn braids. But unfortunately, they seem to be some sort of trend.

When you hear the phrase unicorn hair, you probably envision long cascading hair in shades of pink, purple, aqua, or all three. The image pictured is definitely something akin to mermaids or My Little Pony. However, it seems that some gals are taking the phrase quite literally and are actually styling their hair to resemble a horn.

More specifically, the horn of a unicorn.

For real.

How they're doing it? Apparently, they section off a piece of the hair at the front part of the crown and braid it at a vertical angle so that the hair sticks straight up. There's probably at least a gallon of extra hold hairspray and/or gel involved in this look.

I just don't get why you would ever want to look like this! Great Halloween look? Yes. Hairdo for regular life? Nope.

Listen, I love unicorns. Probably more than little five-year-old girls. But I will never don a style such as this.

I get that people want to stand out. But stand out for your fabulousness; not for your ridiculous hair horn.

Monday, February 8, 2016

In case you didn't know, I'm quite unhealthily(ish) obsessed with makeup palettes. Especially when they're filled with pretty eyeshadow hues. I should probably join some sort of support group for palette addicts, but that's simply not happening.

Milani is one of my absolute fave drugstore beauty brands. Most of their products work just as well as anything you can find from a high-end cosmetic line, but are much more reasonably priced.

Their latest palette has been around for a few months or so, but they've added a couple different color options for Spring 2016. The current collections are:

Must-Have Neutrals- Cool Neutrals

Bare Necessities- Warm Neutrals

Smoky Essentials- Smoky Neutrals

Plum Basics- Plums & Mauves

Earthy Elements- Terracotta & Earthy Hues

Vital Brights- Cool Brights

All of them are super gorgeous, but I'm completely in love with the Bare Necessities palette (featured picture, above). The colors are perfect for all skintones, and the colors are all great neutrals to have on hand to bring your look from day to night. The hues are in the taupe/brown family and range from matte to shimmery shades.

The colors are all super smooth, very blendable, and crazily well-pigmented. I honestly have yet to find another drugstore brand that offers nearly as much color payoff.
This particular palette is perfect for everyday use. You can use all of the shades for a more bold look, or pick and choose shades for something more soft. I like using all of the shades, but my favorite combo is the lid color, contour hue, and base shade paired with dark brown liner. It makes my eyes pop without going overboard.

The absolute best part is that each palette is about $10. I'd probably shell out at least three times the amount, so it's really a fab deal. Plus, since the sets are so affordable, you can treat yourself to a few guilt-free! Huzzah! Grab the neutral one for everyday use, the darker smoky palette for going out, and one of the brighter-colored ones just for fun!

The palettes are all available at most drugstores, but you can also buy them online.

Sunday, January 31, 2016

The balm is great for a crazy amount of things. If you're familiar with this blog at all, then you know how hard it is for me to find any type of product that doesn't irritate my overly sensitive skin. But somehow, I've always been able to use this stuff for oodles of purposes.

Of course it's great on lips, and that's what I've used it for the most. Not only is it super hydrating, it also has just the slightest pinkish/red hue to it. The end result is having super pretty lips that look like your own, only better. With Valentine's Day coming up, it's the perfect product to keep on you so you're always smooch ready.

Until somewhat recently, this fab stuff only came in a round tin. I've never really been a tin kind of gal--I hate having balm all over the place, and even worse, it just isn't very sanitary to repeatedly dip your fingers into the same container.

So when I stumbled upon the exact same formula in a tube, I obviously went crazy with delight. I gave it a try, and sure enough it works just as amazingly! Huzzah!And if you're wondering what else you can use it for, this beloved multi-purpose essential not only moisturizes and soothes dry lips; it also calms and heals any skin irritation, soothes the sting of minor burns, helps heal cuts, tames mangled cuticles, helps fix ashy elbows and knees, and minimizes diaper rash.

A hint of rose scent adds a delicately aromatic touch, without overpowering or cloying. Whether in a tube or a tin, Rosebud Salve is a mini moisturizing miracle. I've always got at least one in my purse, and usually a few more strategically scattered around the house.

In all honesty, if I could only use one beauty product for the rest of my life, this would be it.

The tin and the tube are each only $6. Pretty cheap for such a fabbity-fabulous beauty staple! Stock up, fashionistas!

Monday, January 25, 2016

With Valentine's Day rapidly approaching, my inbox has become flooded with various lingerie ads. For the most part, they're fun to go through and there are oodles of cute bras out there.

What I'm not a fan of? Bras that look way too complicated and have straps and cutouts galore. The particular one pictured is True&Co's Entwined set (yes, it comes with a pair of panties--also not very impressive). I've looked at the site's other products and they've actually got some cute things...I just think they totally screwed up with this disastrous bra.

Yes, it looks sexy on the model. But honestly, everything looks amazing on a lingerie model. That's why companies hire them. But if you're like me (or really anyone else in the entire world), this is probably the least flattering undergarment you could possibly purchase.

Think about it: having random additional straps on a bra, no matter how well it fits, would simply cut into your curves and give you severely unwanted bumps and rolls. If you moved around at all, your chest would have a field day moving around in-between all the little cutouts. It really has nothing to do with your size, this bra is simply not going to do you any favors.

Even my husband hates it! And if you know anything about Michael, then you know that he generally has no opinion whatsoever on anything girly, even when it comes to lingerie...actually especially when it comes to lingerie. All I did was show him a picture of this and he said, "It's like they added extra straps just to confuse guys!", bringing up a problem I hadn't even thought of.

If you want to impress your main squeeze, stick with something simple. My husband says that red or black lace is always a win, and I agree. The same site, True&Co, has plenty of pretty bras that would be a million times more flattering. Their Gramercy Balconette bra is gorgeous. Plus, it's about half the price of the ridiculous strappy "faux-bra" (see what I did there?! hahaha), and it comes in a bunch of fabulous colors!

So this year, be comfy and sexy. You don't have to settle for one or the other.That is all.

Friday, January 15, 2016

I have no idea why, but I've always been weirdly obsessed with flasks. It got to the point where I'd buy a cute one and want to show it off so badly that I'd fill it with water or juice and drink from it all over the place...even my Grandma's house on holidays (which I'm sure looked lovely).

Recently, I found a crazy amount of stylish flasks on Zazzle that are super gorgeous. They have quite a few different designs, but for the most part the flasks have a vintage look to them, which makes them even more amazing.

I can totally see myself buying 20 or so of these and "holding onto them for gifts" (wink, wink), because there are just so many different options! You could get a flask to match every outfit you own! Seriously, what's not to love about that?!

The best part is that each flask retails for around $27, so they're definitely affordable.

Treat yourself to a flask! And make sure to drink from it at the most inappropriate times for maximum entertainment!

Before I go into how crazy the idea is, I want to give the creator's credit for making sure that it's overly clear that the jewelry is IMITATION cat poop. Because, if you're looking for anything made out of real cat poop, they're not the ones to buy from. Props, guys.

Now onto the actual jewelry...Really??! I have a decent chunk of friends who love cats. I even personally know a couple "crazy cat ladies". None of them would wear this jewelry. Why? Because even if you're obsessed with cats to the point of somehow loving their poop, there is honestly NO WAY to tell that the imitation poop is supposed to be from a cat!!! It just looks like you are literally wearing shit!

I don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to gallivant around town wearing poop accessories.

It's not even a funny idea to give someone as a joke, knowing that they won't wear it. I mean, who wants to get jewelry they can't wear?! No one. Trust me.

I just can't imagine anyone actually wanting these. What would be the point?

If for some ungodly reason you think that wearing imitation crap (get it? hahaha) is a good idea, the site sells the necklace for $17 and the earrings for $22.

Oh, and if you're wondering what the jewelry looks like on, here's a pic from the site of someone wearing the necklace:

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

When I was younger, my mom always bought matching pajamas for herself, my sister, and me to wear on Christmas Eve. It was a super fun tradition because not only did we get to open a gift before Christmas morning, but we also looked so cute in the same sleepwear!

Most of the time, the pajamas my mom picked out were from Victoria's Secret, so of course the quality was great. I recently checked out the site's pajamas just to see what they had to offer this year and I found some gorgeous options. My fave is their Pillowtalk Tank Pajama set. It comes in a bunch of different colors, but personally I'm a fan of the look pictured above.

They look so incredibly comfy and adorable. Yes, you can wear them the night before Christmas, but because they aren't really holiday-themed you can wear them all year long!

Each set comes with PJ pants, a tank top, and a limited edition eye mask. I'm obsessed with eye masks, so that's got me hooked. You can also choose the length of the pants, which is perfect for a short gal like me!

You can purchase the pajamas for $39.50 (it's currently on sale, usually it retails for $54.50--what a deal!!).

So start a fabulous new tradition this year and look great for when Santa stops by!

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Okay, okay...so maybe this is more of an "Alana's wishlist" post, but quite frankly, this is the most adorable thing I've seen recently and I simply had to share.

If you're one of my regular readers, then you know how crazily obsessed I am with Hello Kitty. It's quite an addiction. Suffice it to say, if a product comes in a Hello Kitty theme, I probably own it. My husband even tends to support this addiction, so I'm probably more obsessed with Hello Kitty than ever before.

So the fact that there is actually Hello Kitty Pink Hot Chocolate out there is, needless to say, something I'm lusting over. I mean, any type of hot chocolate that involves my fave little kitty is something that I'd find awesome. But the fact that it's also PINK?! Well, I almost can't even handle it!

I really do think that any lady in your life, young or old, would absolutely love to find this in their stocking. I really can't imagine anyone who wouldn't want such a cute product.

Friday, November 13, 2015

Yes, I know...the picture above is quite disturbing. This product was actually brought to my attention by my favorite (and only) sister, Jenna-Rose, who knows about my need to see ridiculous things.

So, here it is: The Scroguard. The basic idea? It'sa product developed to reduce skin-to-skin contact in the genital areas that are not covered by a condom. According to the site, it is made to prevent certain STDs:"Both genital herpes and HPV can spread to your scrotum and pubic region through direct skin-to-skin contact and genital secretions during sex, even from someone who has completely normal looking skin with no visible warts or sores."

While I do commend the company for attempting to help lower the risk of getting an STD, I find this idea to be a bit preposterous.

Honestly, if I were about to bone someone, and he pulled out plastic panties with a hole for his penis, and then threw on a condom, I'd not only be concerned--I'd be freaked out and would immediately get out of that situation.

I really don't know what would be worse: if the guy had the panties on beforehand (during a date), or if he changed into them right before sex. I mean, let's be honest. Even putting a condom on can take up a bit of time. I imagine that putting on the Scroguard, even with the fancy snaps, would also take another large chunk of time. So, it would basically take around five minutes before the guy is ready to bang, which is a turn-off all on its own. But seeing the plastic, diaper-esque, undies would probably be a deal breaker for me, as well as the most absolute turn-off possible.

The site also lists the type of people they think would benefit the most from using the Scroguard:

Men with a high sex drive who enjoy sexual variety.

Couples and individuals who love to swing.

Casual sex partners and committed couples who want peace of mind.

So, it's kind of like a Slutguard...in fact, that'd probably be a better name. And THANK GOD the site gives directions--how would anyone know how to put on plastic panties? From the directions, it's easy to see how confusing this product can be:

Step 1: Before sex, put on Scroguard. Fasten buttons.Step 2. When ready, put on a condom as you normally do, being sure to tuck the base of the condom inside Scroguard.Step 3. Make love. After sex, unfasten the two buttons of Scroguard and remove. Then pull the condom off.

Thanks so much, Scroguard! I especially enjoy the instruction to "make love". The customers the site describes don't really seem like the "make love" type. But hey, it sounds classier, so whatevs!

In case you were wondering, you can either dispose the Scroguard, OR wash it and reuse it! Woohoo! I'm sure that's great news as each individual one is about $20. Pretty pricey. I say, get some plastic wrap and just make your own if you're into this idea.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

That's right. I'm posting two cat-based blogs in a row. I'm just going to admit it: I'm going through kitten withdrawal. Ever since Cyrus the cat (and his owner, our housemate) moved out, I've been desperately wanting another little animal to snuggle with. Don't get me wrong--I love my husband, and he rocks at snuggling, but there's just something so awesome about having a little kitten lay with you while you watch a movie or something.

Honestly, f I weren't married, I'd be pretty concerned that I was on my way to becoming the "crazy cat lady".

But I digress.

Due to my cat obsession, I stumbled upon this gem: a hoodie with a little pocket that can hold small animals (exactly like a cat, or even a small dog--yippee!!). It's called the Mewgaroo Hoodie, and it's basically a sweatshirt featuring a specially-designed pouch precisely made for keeping dogs, cats or other small pets feeling cozy, safe and close to their owners.

The company that created this spectacular sweatshirt is Unihabitat, a Japanese pet supply company. Okay, so admittedly you'd probably look a bit funny if you were to walk around downtown wearing one of these. Especially since the hoodie isn't just a simple sweatshirt with a pocket. Of course it isn't. It's Japanese, after all.

The Mewgaroo Hoodie takes pet lovin' even further. Much further. Unlike all those, what they call "boring, run-of-the-mill hoodies not made with animals in mind", this sweatshirt also features sewn-on ears and paw pads to complete the proud animal-lover look.

Here's a picture of the sweatshirt on a model to give you an idea of the entire look:

Soooo, yeah...this isn't something I would personally wear out in public. But still, if I were at home with my cute little pet (once I manage to trick my husband into getting one), I can definitely see myself wearing this. In fact, I kind of like the quirkiness that the sweatshirt offers, at least for home use.

But obviously, the real breakthrough with this hoodie is in the pouch. Anticipating that some dogs and cats are prone to shed, the perfectly pet-sized pocket includes a removable lining for easy cleaning. I think that's a great feature.

This sweatshirt seems so well-made and really thought out; I really love it! So where can we all go to buy one??

Well, unfortunately I fell in love with the product before even looking at where I could buy it...The entire product webpage is currently catered only to Japanese-speaking consumers (SO unfair!), so we can only hope that it will soon be available for wider release before too long.

I'll keep all of you fashionistas posted on an international release, which I'm sure will occur before very long, as the product is getting a TON of worldwide media attention.

So, let's all cross our fingers and hope that this is something we can buy before Christmas, and that we'll all be snuggled up with our little furry friends by the new year!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

I originally set out to write about cute cat fashion items because I've recently discovered that I don't hate cats (which is a huge surprise to anyone who knows me). Unfortunately, my search ended with the discovery of these Cat Face Pasties.

First of all, I am beyond disturbed by the picture. The spilled milk, the "sexy" look...and cute little cat faces covering nipples.

After reading the description, I was only more troubled:These cat face shaped nipple pasties are a great present for any cat lover, be it yourself or someone else! The pasties are made from a leatherette backing which is covered with sequins. The cat's face is made with googly eyes and thread and can be created in black, white, brown or any other colour you feel like, just let me know.

These pasties measure 7cm across. Adhesive is not included however they can be held on with either body tape or simple double sided tape from any stationary shop.

Googly eyes?!?!! Am I crazy, or do people really want to wear googly-eyed pasties? Not only that, I love the fact that the adhesive isn't included. I feel like that's the whole point of pasties (though I am admittedly not an expert)--aren't they specifically made to be ready to stick on your knockers?

So okay, maybe there's a classy way to wear these things. Maybe a dress that's a tiny bit low-cut and a cat pokes out with it's little googly eyes...wait, no. That's still f-ing creepy.

The cat pasties are about $20, as are most of the designer's other pasties. To be fair, not all of her designs are as creepy...but I will never wear googly-eyed cat faces over my nipples.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

I'm definitely guilty of using some pretty disgusting makeup brushes in my time. For some reason, it didn't really occur to me that they might need a good cleaning. Then I noticed a bunch of random zits. Now I have crazily dry skin (if you're a regular reader, I'm sure you've read my many rants about it!), so I was pretty confused as to what would cause breakouts. After a little research, I found the problem. And honestly, I had no idea that not cleaning makeup brushes could effect your skin so much!

Now that I'm aware, I'm a little OCD when it comes to having clean brushes. I've found countless articles online with tips and tricks to clean your brushes, but here's what works for me:

Begin by running your brushes under lukewarm water and rinse out all of the residual makeup. Try to focus on the actual bristles while avoiding the part of the brush where handle meets the head, as this can loosen the glue over time.

Spritz a brush cleaner on your brushes your brushes, Mary Kay has an amazing brush cleaner that I'm currently in love with.

Rinse the brush tip under running wateruntil the water runs clear from the brush. You don't want any cleaner left behind!

Use a cloth to wipe your brush clean, reshaping the bristles as you go.

Lay your brushes flat on a cloth to dry (I usually leave them overnight).

So there you go! After cleaning your brushes, you'll immediately notice a difference in how they work. In fact, a lot of my brushes feel brand new after a cleaning.

If you don't have any makeup brushes, or are looking to purchase a new set, try the Mary Kay Brush Collection. In includes a powder brush, a cheek brush, an eye color brush, an eye crease brush and an eyeliner/eyebrow brush. It also comes with a super cute case.

If you're looking for new brushes as well as a cleaner, Mary Kay's Brush On Beautiful set has just that! It includes all the brushes you need, a pretty cosmetic bag, and their fabulous brush cleaner.

Any of these products are amazing--I absolutely love them. The Brush Cleaner on it's own is $10, the Brush Collection is $55, and the Brush On Beautiful set is $65. Their brushes are honestly incredible and last practically forever (unlike the cheapo brushes you get at a pharmacy).

So, now that you know how important it is to clean your makeup brushes, get to it! Your skin will thank you.